FERIN Interpretation Companion launched alongside ISO 19135:2026
on
15 Feb 2026
We are pleased to announce the launch of the FERIN Interpretation Companion, a comprehensive resource for practitioners working with item registration and information management.
What is FERIN?
FERIN (Framework for Extensible Registration of Information) provides a standardized approach for managing collections of information—code lists, taxonomies, specifications, and reference data—that must remain accessible and usable over time.
The framework addresses fundamental challenges that organizations face:
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Persistent identification: References that don’t break when content changes
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Controlled evolution: Defined governance processes for managing change
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Complete audit trails: Full history and traceability of all modifications
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Technology neutrality: No implementation-specific requirements
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Domain agnostic: Applicable to any domain, not just geographic information
The FERIN name was coined by Ronald Tse and Reese Plews, with usage rights granted to the Enosema Foundation.
Relationship to ISO 19135:2026
ISO 19135:2026, published on 2026-02-05, is the third edition of the international standard for item registration. Developed by ISO/TC 211 (Geographic Information/Geomatics), this edition represents a significant evolution from its 2015 predecessor:
| 2015 Edition | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|
Focus on geographic information |
Domain-agnostic framework |
Procedural requirements |
Conceptual framework with principles |
Hierarchical conformance (Core/Extended/Hierarchical) |
Capability-based conformance (5 classes) |
Implementation included (XML) |
Technology-neutral |
The standard was developed under the project leadership of Ronald Tse (CalConnect/Ribose) and Reese Plews (JISC Japan/Plews Consulting).
The full standard is available at ISO 19135:2026.
The FERIN Interpretation Companion
While ISO 19135:2026 specifies what must be done, the FERIN Interpretation Companion provides the how and why—practical guidance, decision frameworks, and implementation patterns that complement the standard.
The companion covers:
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Core concepts: The distinction between concept plane and content plane, granularity, and the six core principles
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Building registers: Identifier design, versioning strategies, action references, and migration from legacy systems
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Reference materials: Complete glossary, conceptual model diagrams, status and relations references, and anti-patterns to avoid
Whether you are evaluating FERIN for your organization, building a new register, or migrating from an existing system, the FERIN Interpretation Companion provides the practical knowledge needed for successful implementation.
Visit FERIN
We invite all practitioners working with terminology, concept management, and information registries to explore the FERIN Interpretation Companion at www.ferin.org.